Havana — Cuba's government has confirmed that delegations from Cuba and the United States held direct talks on Cuban soil, even as the Trump administration's energy embargo continues to deepen what officials describe as the island's worst economic and energy crisis in decades.

Alejandro Garcia, the foreign ministry's under-director of Cuba-US affairs, broke Havana's public silence on the meetings, telling reporters:

"I can confirm that a meeting between delegations from Cuba and the United States was recently held here in Cuba."

According to France 24, the Cuban delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, while the US side included assistant secretaries from the State Department. Axios had previously reported that Trump administration officials held multiple meetings in Havana on April 10 with Cuban counterparts.

Conditions and tone

Garcia said US negotiators laid out conditions for the talks to continue, including the release of prominent political prisoners. Despite the gulf between the two sides, the Cuban official stressed that the atmosphere remained measured.

"During the meeting, neither side set deadlines or made any threatening statements, as has been reported by the US press. The entire exchange was respectful and professional."

Garcia described the tone as constructive, though no breakthroughs were announced and no further meetings were publicly scheduled.

Energy blockade at the centre of talks

For Havana, the central issue is the US oil blockade now in its third month. Garcia emphasised that lifting it was "a top priority" for the Cuban government in the negotiations. Cuba has accused Washington of blackmail, alleging that the Trump administration threatened countries exporting oil to Cuba with tariffs — a move Havana says has strangled its already fragile energy supply.

Cuba is heavily dependent on oil imports, historically sourced in large part from Venezuela under Nicolas Maduro's government. The combination of US pressure on suppliers and direct trade restrictions has accelerated rolling blackouts and fuel shortages across the island.

International concern mounts

The talks come amid growing international unease. The leftist leaders of Mexico, Spain and Brazil voiced concern on Saturday over what they called the dramatic situation in Cuba. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz added his voice on Monday, stating:

"The ability to defend oneself does not mean the right to intervene militarily in other states when their political systems do not match what others might have in mind."

Neither the Cuban nor the US government has indicated when, or whether, a further round of negotiations will take place.